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| [1]Mi britheren, nyle ye be maad many maistris, witynge that ye taken the more doom. |
[1]My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. |
| [2]For alle we offenden in many thingis. If ony man offendith not in word, this is a perfit man; for also he may lede aboute al the bodi with a bridil. |
[2]For in many things we sin all. If any man sin not in word, he is a perfect man, and able to bridle all the body. |
| [3]For if we putten bridlis `in to horsis mouthis, for to consente to vs, and we leden aboute al the bodi of hem. |
[3]Behold, we put bits into the horses' mouths that they should obey us, and we turn about all their body. |
| [4]And lo! schippis, whanne thei ben grete, and ben dryuun of stronge wyndis, yit thei ben borun about of a litil gouernaile, where the meuyng of the gouernour wole. |
[4]Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small rudder, whithersoever the governor listeth. |
| [5]So also the tunge is but a litil membre, and reisith grete thingis. Lo! hou litil fier brenneth a ful greet wode. |
[5]Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth of great things: behold, how great a thing a little fire kindleth. |
| [6]And oure tunge is fier, the vniuersite of wickidnesse. The tunge is ordeyned in oure membris, which defoulith al the bodi; and it is enflawmed of helle, and enflawmeth the wheel of oure birthe. |
[6]And the tongue is fire, yea, a world of wickedness: so is the tongue set among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell. |
| [7]And al the kynde of beestis, and of foulis, and of serpentis, and of othere is chastisid, and tho ben maad tame of mannus kinde; but no man mai chastise the tunge, |
[7]For the whole nature of beasts, and of birds and of creeping things, and things of the sea is tamed and hath been tamed of the nature of man. |
| [8]for it is an vnpesible yuel, and ful of deedli venym. |
[8]But the tongue can no man tame. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. |
| [9]In it we blessen God, the fadir, and in it we cursen men, that ben maad to the licnesse of God. |
[9]Therewith bless we God even the Father, and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. |
| [10]Of the same mouth passith forth blessing and cursing. My britheren, it bihoueth not that these thingis be don so. |
[10]Out of one mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing: my brethren, these things ought not so to be. |
| [11]Whether a welle of the same hoole bringith forth swete and salt watir? |
[11]Doth a fountain send forth at one place sweet water and bitter? |
| [12]My britheren, whether a fige tre may make grapis, ethir a vyne figus? So nethir salt watir mai make swete watir. |
[12]Can the fig tree, my brethren, bring forth olives, other a vine figs? So can no fountain make both salt water and sweet. |
| [13]Who is wijs, and tauyt among you? schewe he of good lyuyng his worching, in myldenesse of his wisdom. |
[13]Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show by good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom. |
| [14]That if ye han bitter enuye, and stryuyngis ben in youre hertis, nyle ye haue glorye, and be lyeris ayens the treuthe. |
[14]But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, rejoice not, neither be liars against the truth. |
| [15]For this wisdom is not fro aboue comynge doun, but ertheli, and beestli, and feendli. |
[15]This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, and devilish. |
| [16]For where is enuye and strijf, there is vnstidfastnesse and al schrewid werk. |
[16]For where envying and strife is, there is sedition, and all manner of evil works. |
| [17]But wisdom that is from aboue, first it is chast, aftirward pesible, mylde, able to be counseilid, consentinge to goode thingis, ful of merci and of goode fruytis, demynge with out feynyng. |
[17]But the wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits without judging, and without hypocrisy. |
| [18]And the fruyt of riytwisnesse is sowun in pees, to men that maken pees. |
[18]And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace, of them that make peace. |